GOVERNMENT'S POVERTY Reduction Programme (PRP) received a major boost yesterday, with the signing of an agreement with the European Union (EU) worth $7 million euros ($250 million).Of the amount, $6 million euros, in the form of a grant, is being provided by the EU. The Jamaican Government will contribute the additional $1 million euros. The money will be used to improve the living conditions in poor communities, by providing residents with access to basic infrastructure and services, especially in the field of sanitation, water and health.
The PRP will be implemented over a three-year period by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).
Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies, who signed on behalf of the Government, said the allocation of the majority of the resources to the JSIF, indicates the confidence shared between the Government and the EU in that institution. He said the programme had been successful because of the impact it has had on improving the quality of life in a number of communities across the country. He explained that the aim was now to encourage greater participation from the communities, while ensuring the investments are sustained over the years.
Gerd Jarchow, head of delegation of the EU, who signed on behalf of the Union, noted that the EU was one of the largest donors of grant resources to Jamaica. Since the Lome Convention in 1975, total assistance to Jamaica has been roughly $515.7 million euros. The total does not include the benefits of regional programmes or Lome trade preferences -- sugar, banana and rum protocols.
Mr. Jarchow said the current PRP programme encourages participation of community members in the choice and implementation of projects to ensure sustainability of the investments.
